Photo Contest

Pet number and name: 031 - Peabody

Submitted by: Emily - TN, USA

25% of profits to:  Tennessee Muttley Crue

Peabody Longbottom cane to our family via a circuitous route.  Our much beloved Labrador Lucy, who was also a rescue dog, escaped our home in 2003 when painters left the door open.  Although Lucy came home within several hours, she had consumed a chicken bone while running through town.  We took her to emergency vets, where she stayed for two days being treated for an infection, and she subsequently died, breaking our hearts.

After we mourned Lucy for months, we decided to become rescue volunteers, and began fostering local dogs through a non-profit, in honor of Lucy.  We were unable to imagine taking a dog in her place for over a year, but then we saw Peabody, who at that time was named "Flash."  Peabody's father went to Iraq to fight, and his mother immediately dumped both the father and the 2 year old Basset.

 
Although I had no prior experience with Basset hounds, one look at Peabody and his saunter was enough to know that he belonged with our family.  We adopted him immediately, and renamed him Peabody Longbottom.

Peabody is stylish enough to know he's beautiful, yet he is not above baying loudly when an errant squirrel gives him the evil eye.  He could be the poster child for the breed - he has been with us through two toddler children grabbing his floppy ears, and he has never thought of doing anything other than rolling over for his "belly love."  Peabody's demeanor and heart have inspired my family to foster many dogs, mainly hounds, and also inspired us to get another basset mix from a local rescue group.

Please consider a hound for your next pet!  They may not be graceful, but their hearts are full of boundless adoration, and with a good headwind, their ears may actually enable flight one day!